LISBON, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The biggest bet on digitizing the Portuguese tourism industry could generate 50,000 additional jobs in Portugal in the coming years, according to an Oxford Economics study commissioned by Google released on Tuesday.
The study shows that "there is potential for tourism revenue growth" and "it is possible to generate 50,000 more jobs" with digitalization, Jose Maria Judice, Google's industry manager for tourism in Portugal, was quoted by Portuguese Lusa News Agency.
"Improvements in digital connectivity since 2012 in Portugal have generated nearly 50,000 jobs in tourism, a significant proportion of the 250,000 total jobs created by tourism between 2012 and 2018," says the Oxford Economics study, adding that "there are opportunities today to create 50,000 new jobs in Portugal in the coming years."
"Greater investment in digital infrastructure, digital skills and increased digital activity are critical success factors in achieving the goals," the study added.
"About 80 percent of travel research is already going digital. It's important as a country that we continue to improve online content and empower people working in the tourism industry to be more comfortable with digital," said Judice.
The study also pointed out that 83 percent of available accommodation in Portugal can already be booked over the Internet and generates 41 percent of the sector's sales volume.
Oxford Economics is a company that analyzes economic trends and had already done tourism studies in countries in southern Europe.
